East Springfield Neighborhood Council Board and Police Meeting April 19, 2022
Introductions:
Kathy Brown, Marie Koski, Lynne Brunette, Brenda Spaulding, Peggy Shea, Farah Rodriguez, John Koski, David Russo, Angie Savageau, Charles Rucks, Lt. Arpin, and Officer Julio Vazquez.
Meeting Guidelines:
Masks highly recommended, respect for all, one person speak at a time, ask questions but keep statements to a minimum.
Welcome: Good to be back in person. Although we have not had to ability to have in person meetings the board and the team have over the past 2 years continued the work of the council.
Many residents and businesses have actively helped move the mission of protecting, improving and preserving the quality of life in our neighborhood.
Congratulations and thank you to everyone for the extraordinary efforts.
Participation/volunteers are always welcome. Let us know how you can help. We want to hear from you. Issues are important. We are all neighbors working together. We need volunteers. Interested in taking pictures throughout the neighborhood of historic homes and buildings and some people to share their web site, finance, marketing and graphic skills with us. Willing to deliver meeting and event information to some of your neighbors. Assist with the many projects and activities including 3 Movies in the Park, National Night Out on August 2nd. B.E.S.T (Beautify East Springfield Together) Meetings, Technology, office upkeep, Etc.
City services are operating: Call 311 please continue to report appropriate issues. Don’t hesitate to call in and check on the status of reported issues. Street Lights, Plugged Storm Drains, Pot Holes, Graffiti, Etc.
Some Updates:
Bowles Park and East St. intersection. Four Way Stop approved by Traffic Commission. Installed March 14th for a 90 day trial. Please email your comments to contact@myesnc.com Should be reviewed by June 14th
Page Blvd near Bircham St. We have sent a formal request to Traffic Commission for speed limit and road alterations. Awaiting update on traffic study by Pioneer Valley Planning Commission.
St. James Ave. St. James Blvd. and Carew St. intersection project will begin 2023
Check Your Speed Event on April 12th was very successful. Next event planned for St. James Ave at Melville on May 24th.
KFC will start building construction in May or June. Supply chain issues have slowed construction.
Walgreens has moved out. The property owners have told us that Walgreens still has at least 3 years on the lease. In negotiation because Walgreens wants out of the lease.
Plaza pot holes will be filled this week or next per Key Point Partners
E.S. Library celebrated its 90th Anniversary. We continue to work toward significant improvements and an addition (2,000 sq ft) to the building. We will soon see some landscaping and outdoor space improvements funded by the Community Preservation Act.
Council Awareness Grant. We have been awarded a grant to help the neighborhood’s awareness of the Neighborhood Council and how we can assist. A variety of activities and initiatives are in the works. Volunteer to be a part of our implementation team. Looking for several neighbors to host small meet and greet events with 8 to 10 of your neighbors.
Community Preservation Grants have been applied for enhanced funding for the walking path (approved last year) and for fitness equipment for Marshall Roy.
Applied for and received funding (via ARPA) for Page Blvd. Improvements from 500 to 700 Page Blvd. to include about 100 trees, improvements in sidewalks and curbs and a new, pushbutton cross walk. $400,000
City has announced that we (and other neighborhood council and civic associations) will receive $100,000 from ARPA money. We are awaiting guidelines on spending. Once we know we will be looking for suggestions.
Beat Management Team Meeting:
John Koski Chairperson
Lt. Sean Arpin
Off. Julio Vazquez
Angie Savageau
Charles Rucks
Report March 13- April 9
Arrests – 3 (bike related)
Aggravated assaults- 2 (domestic related)
B&E- 3
Robberies- 1 (domestic related)
Auto break in – 3
Hot spot calls Drug activity-12 (unfounded or nothing located)
Gun calls- 3
Quality of life calls
Suspicious activity calls – 5
Suspicious vehicle calls – 3
Suspicious person call – 3
Unnecessary noise calls – 10
Officer Vasquez
Keeping Clean City informed of shopping carts and illegal dumping
Monitoring Mallory village- (firearms, drugs directed patrols)
St. James Ave, St. James Blvd, & Page Blvd – directed patrols
Checking the schools for homeless folks
Traffic deployments
Directed patrols
Monitoring noise complaints
Monitoring 277 Cottage Street
Monitoring traffic on Page Blvd
Working on 3-1-1 complaints that have been sent in
Questions/Answers
*Upcoming enrollment for the Springfield Police Cadet Program (age 18-21)
*Sue Haley Arce has moved on, but someone has just been hired- should see this person at a future meeting
*23 Genesse Street is a location for dirt bikes
*Why so much activity on Redlands Street? Because of complaints called in!
Reports and follow-up Angie (from the Sheriff’s Dept) is happy to finally get to meet the neighbors in person
Noise on Cadwell Drive follow up
Graffitidumping
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